Espada's Bluefish number retired

Rich Elliott

Updated 12:39 am, Monday, September 16, 2013

BRIDGEPORT -- Angel Espada never had any intention of remaining with the Bridgeport Bluefish for an extended period of time. Like any other independent league baseball player, he hoped to come in, showcase his skills and return to organized ball

Things never did work out as planned for Espada. While regularly finding success in the Atlantic League, an extended opportunity to prove himself within an organization never did materialize. Instead, he continued to work hard and he continued to produce.

Espada's stay in Bridgeport spanned nine seasons. He evolved into one of the top players in the history of the franchise, and prior to Sunday's season-finale against the Camden Riversharks at Harbor Yard he became the first player in franchise history to have his number retired (No. 1).

"So many great players have come through this organization, and a lot of guys with a better pedigree,'' Espada said. "It's just something you can't put into words. Here is where I became a professional baseball player.''

Espada, 38, was honored during a pregame ceremony at home plate that stirred memories of past greatness for the Bluefish. He was joined by his wife, Yasmine, and their 9-year-old son, Adriel. Former Bluefish owners Mickey Herbert and Mary Jane Foster, Bluefish co-founder Jack McGregor, former team general manager Charlie Dowd and current team owner/Atlantic League CEO Frank Boulton were also on hand.

Following the ceremony, Adriel Espada threw the first pitch to his father.

"We've had a lot of great players that have put on a Bridgeport Bluefish uniform,'' Boulton said. "But none really any better, that's for sure. And that's the complete package.''

The Bluefish ended their season on a high note, beating Camden 6-4.

Espada hit .309 with 91 doubles, 221 RBIs and 444 runs scored in 734 games with the Bluefish from 1999-2007. He won back-to-back league championships with the Atlantic City Surf in 1998 and the Bluefish in 1999 and back-to-back league batting championships in 1999 (team single-season-record .356) and 2000 (.337).

Espada is ranked first all-time in franchise history in hits (817), runs and stolen bases (173) and second in games played and at-bats (2,641).

"He sticks out because of his size and his ability,'' said Bluefish manager Willie Upshaw, who managed Espada in 1999 and 2000. "He had great ability. He was able to even get back into organized baseball with the Yankees. So he had the ability to play and loved the game and really knew how to play. So it was really fun to watch him play those years.''

While Espada was unable to entrench himself within a major league organization as a player, he is currently doing so as a coach and manager.

Espada recently finished his fifth season with the Miami Marlins, and he has had his contract renewed for 2014 after serving as the manager of the Class A Batavia Muckdogs in the New York-Penn League. He continues to keep his dream of reaching the big leagues alive.

"Everything's possible,'' Espada said. "Right now I enjoy where I'm at. I think I'm young. I have the energy to work with the young guys, and only time will tell. At those levels you've just got to be patient and wait and see what happens and eventually your time will come.''